*****Official February 2015 Thread! Come check in and chat!*****

[Aladora]

1,000 posts for Feb. see ya the first week!

Wow, compared to January's 289, I'd say we talk a lot!

 

[PoohBearFriends]

I'm at 30 days! I have my day-to-day basic plan all ready! My pre-trip planning/schedule so far: Wednesday, Feb 4: Fly into LGB. This is my first time with Jet Blue, but I have heard great things. Non-stop flight, so I'll be landing around 3:45pm, I believe. For future reference, including taxes and fees and such, this was $160 round trip from PDX to LGB and back again. That's about $100 less than Southwest, and about $50 less than my "best price ever" which was right around $200RT on a commuter plane. Taxi to Park Vue Inn, where I will get checked in, unpacked, and maybe head over to DTD for some shopping. Likely a snacky dinner at Trader Sam's, along with a drink, and back to the hotel early for a good night's rest. Get some bottled waters and soda on the way back to the hotel, so that I'm not paying those outrageous prices in the parks! Thursday, Feb 5: DL hours: 10a-8p. DCA hours: 10a-8p. Sleep in! Breakfast at the hotel, because it's such a late opening! Rope drop at DL, as this is my family's tradition. Lunch: Hot dog or maybe try something new like shish-kabobs from that place in Adventure land. Dinner: 5-cheese Ravioli at that Boardwalk Pasta (or whatever that place is called!). Must-do snacks: Dole Whips! They were closed when we were there last week! No "must do" rides, as I'll just head wherever the lines are shortest. Will stay until closing. Hoping to take some night-time pictures on a nearly-deserted Main Street, as BFF and I did on our trip last year. I'm learning how to enjoy my DD's camera, which is a HUGE step up over the one I bought hubby (both point-n-shoots, but DD's has so many settings, shutter speed options, special lens apps, etc). Friday, Feb 6: DL: 9a-12a, DCA: 9a-10p. Sleep in! Breakfast at the hotel. Rope Drop, probably at DCA, though I'm not 100% sure, since that's the early entry day there. Lunch: Something new, unsure what yet! Thinking maybe something to go with those promme frites (or however it's spelled!) maybe. Dinner: DH surprised me with a ressie at Blue Bayou, so I'll be doing their surf-n-turf, I'm sure. Must-do snacks: No idea yet! Can the Fish-n-Chips at Golden Horseshoe Saloon be considered a snack? Probably not. Must-do rides: Anything I can get done in DCA in the early morning, or when crowds are low. Staying from open to closing. Will likely spend a fair amount of time just soaking in the atmosphere, as I did on my last solo trips. Saturday, Feb 7: DL: 8a-12a, DCA: 8a-10p. Rope drop, again, likely at DL. Breakfast at the hotel, unless I sleep in too late, in which case, Starbucks will be acceptable! Lunch: hot dog. I love their hot dog buns! Dinner: No clue. Perhaps my 5-cheese Ravioli again, perhaps whatever strikes my fancy. Must-do snacks: Anything and everything! Must-do rides: Anything I haven't already ridden that not closed! Staying from open to close! Sunday, Feb 8: Travel day back home. Plane takes off at 10a, so I'll be out of the hotel around 7:30a, and head back to the airport via taxi again. Good think I will have slept in the last several days! Overall trip must-do list: Ride every ride that isn't shut down. Eat a new food and treat each day. Find out how much I actually walk on my typical Disney day. (I tend to park-hop a lot, so I'm guessing I walk more than a lot of people). Stop to watch the things I often overlook: the Flag Retreat, shows, etc. Thankfully, anything I miss this trip will be able to generally be done at our next trip, as we're surprising DD with a trip in May. Some questions that I haven't figured out yet: Price of a taxi to/from LGB to Park Vue Inn? (I think I heard $40ish?) Any idea if I can use my iphone for my JetBlue ticket? It says to scan the barcode at the kiosk, but doesn't say if it can be scanned from the phone. Will it be easy to find where to grab a taxi at LGB? On the return, will it be obvious where to check in again for the flight home? I assume so, but it's a new airline and a new airport for me! Does LGB have dining options while I'm waiting for my departure? Can't believe I'm down to 30 days now!

We love Jet Blue flying direct from PDX.

Taxis are directly out front. Small airport so easy to see.

There are sandwich shop and a small restaurant available at LGB.

 

[mum2merida]

Cannot wait to get out of the Alberta cold!!!! Only 53 days to go

 

[lori123]

Anyone else plan on wearing a Fitbit or something similar in the parks? I am! I can't wait to see how many steps I get.

I've worn my Fitbit for two different trips. I average about 20,000 - 24,000 steps a day. That's with the walk to and from hojo and usually out around 10/11am and back around 10/11 pm.

 

[shingle]

February 2014 had these listed:
Finding Nemo Subs
Sailing Ship Columbia
Splash Mountain
Small World
Railroad
Redwood Creek Trail
Mickey's Fun Wheel
BTMRR

Also, Fantasmic! was down for half of the month,the Tiki juice bar was closed and Aladdin was not showing from January 21st until Feb 20th.

So, 8 rides which is only 1 less than this year.

April 2014 had these:
Finding Nemo Subs
Small World
Alice in Wonderland
Indiana Jones
Pirates
King Arthur Carousel
Redwood Creek Trail
Little Mermaid
Grizzly River Run

Plus:
Plaza Inn
It's Tough to be a Bug

That's 9 rides, same as they are predicting for February 2015.

It really does seem like a lot, especially since they are closing a bunch of shops and restaurants located near rides that are being refurbed but when you look back, there have been times where the same number or even more rides have been closed.

And now the Castle as well, no matter how you try to shine a bright light on things this is bad for those who are spending a lot of money to come to Disney, so get on to them and do not let them brush you off with excuses, in any other business if you pay for something and it turns out to be not what it say`s on the tin you get after them, make sure they offer you something even if it`s a small goodwill gesture to make up for the disappointment.

 

[MadameRebecca]

And now the Castle as well, no matter how you try to shine a bright light on things this is bad for those who are spending a lot of money to come to Disney, so get on to them and do not let them brush you off with excuses, in any other business if you pay for something and it turns out to be not what it say`s on the tin you get after them, make sure they offer you something even if it`s a small goodwill gesture to make up for the disappointment.

Now I feel like a push over LOL. I think the only way I would've got anything out of Disney when I spoke with them this morning, is if I got angry on the phone. She was very good at defusing the situation. Makes me think I wasn't the first to call.

 

[minneylovesmicky]

Now I feel like a push over LOL. I think the only way I would've got anything out of Disney when I spoke with them this morning, is if I got angry on the phone. She was very good at defusing the situation. Makes me think I wasn't the first to call.

She probably would have hung up on you, flaming Aussies...lol

I won't worry about ringing, it won't change anything, they won't decide to open everything just for some upset complaining Aussies. Just give a token gesture to make me "happy" and shut me up.

I will just be happy, if when we arrive, the parks are open at this point.

Que Sera Sera

 

[MadameRebecca]

She probably would have hung up on you, flaming Aussies...lol I won't worry about ringing, it won't change anything, they won't decide to open everything just for some upset complaining Aussies. Just give a token gesture to make me "happy" and shut me up. I will just be happy, if when we arrive, the parks are open at this point. Que Sera Sera

It's not in my nature to get angry at people. I actually said to the CM, I don't expect you to take the tarps down for our little family, I just want Disney to know how disappointed we are.
I will however go say something when I collect my daughters birthday badge. I doubt they will do anything for us, but for the money we've spent I feel I have to.

 

[jasy]

Whereabouts are you in Alberta? The weather has SUCKED the past few days. Ugh! Sure has me counting down the days until our trip! lol

Edmonton

 

[AZMermaid]

We are lucky enough to visit every year or two and they'd probably go in our file and see we have DVC, so they have us for the next 30 years. So I won't say anything (although if I get surveyed, I will absolutely express how bad it is that it isn't on the calendar. Even the fan sites haven't really reported it yet. Makes me think they are keeping if hush hush, which is wrong).

But- if I was traveling internationally or this was a once every ten years trip, I would absolutely say something. It's one thing to expect refurbs, but quite another to expect the castle to be covered. I feel for you guys. I do think you guys should get a little pixie dust. Even a free 5x7 would be a nice easy gesture.

 

[mjr0483]

We are from NJ and have visited WDW countless times, but we are doing our first and probably only trip from 2/8 to 2/13 and are just completely bummed about the closings.

We have gone all seasons to WDW and deal with the scattered closings. We go so much that we know we will catch it next time.

I also had to laugh at the complaints going around about the crane in front of Cinderella Castle, but now I get it as I get caught up on this thread.

People photo shopped the crane out. I was going to purchase Memory Maker for DL but not so sure now.

Disney should have learned and figure out a way to get the castle in the pictures.

 

[mjr0483]

I know it is next to impossible, but Disney offers seasons on their resorts to adjust the value for that time of year, but they don't do anything on the tickets. Crazy charging full price with so many attractions in moth balls.

 

[Aladora]

We are from NJ and have visited WDW countless times, but we are doing our first and probably only trip from 2/8 to 2/13 and are just completely bummed about the closings.

I've added you to the list on the first page, if you want your hotel listed just let me know!

 

[Jenene]

We are going to Dl last week in Feb. staying at best westerns inn and suites, anyone ever stay there? We stayed at hojo last time, but got wooded by free breakfast

Jenene

 

[mjr0483]

I've added you to the list on the first page, if you want your hotel listed just let me know!

Thanks. We are staying at the Villas at Disney's Grand Californian.

Split stay between studio and 1 bedroom. It looks amazing and can't wait.

 

[Aladora]

Thanks. We are staying at the Villas at Disney's Grand Californian.

Split stay between studio and 1 bedroom. It looks amazing and can't wait.

I've added that to the first page, we are going to be there the exact same dates as you! I tried to rent points to stay at the Villas but there was no availability when I checked so we are staying in a regular room at the GCH.

Are you guys ordering any groceries for delivery? We're looking at getting some water and a few other things through Von's...I just need to figure out how to get to the $50 minimum!

We are going to Dl last week in Feb. staying at best westerns inn and suites, anyone ever stay there? We stayed at hojo last time, but got wooded by free breakfast

Jenene

Welcome to the thread! If you want me to add you to the first post, let me know your dates and I will make sure I add you.

I've never stayed at either of the Best Westerns, which one are you guys at? There is one at 1544 S. Harbor and one at 1630 S. Harbor. Neither are very far from the entrance but one of them is right at the crosswalk!

 

[GatorChris]

How much longer is your AP valid? Because come May-ish...pretty much everything will be open. And they'll have tons of new things for the 60th anniversary. So later in the year is probably a great time to have an AP.

I'm good through early November, and I have a business meeting in the second week of May, so we might do a cheap 2 day trip then. The next trip would probably be late fall - probably well after all the 60th stuff happens.

But this Feb. trip will be the first and probably only time we'll be staying at the DLH. We got a deal that I could actually afford for a few nights, which doesn't come along very often, much less when I can take the time off of work. Wanted this trip to be extra Magical. No Castle? That's a big chunk of Magic to disappear. What's next? Paint the Matterhorn rusty red and turn it into Mater-Horn?

 

[ClaraOswald]

Here's some good info about upcoming stuff - http://micechat.com/91544-disneyland-diamond-anniversary/ I am glad they are retheming Condor Flats. That area was also so "blah." I will be sad if Toon Town is demolished in favor of Star Wars though.

They will probably still have the 60th stuff going on in November. I know that the 50th stuff lasted a long time. Even into 2006.

 

[KalamityJane]

Thanks. We are staying at the Villas at Disney's Grand Californian.

Split stay between studio and 1 bedroom. It looks amazing and can't wait.

Same! I was really hoping the lake wouldn't be drained because of the potential view But glad for the extra room and close proximity

 

[AZMermaid]

Thanks. We are staying at the Villas at Disney's Grand Californian. Split stay between studio and 1 bedroom. It looks amazing and can't wait.

We are too 2/7-10! Looks like we overlap! We are in a 1 BR at VGC. This is our only DVC resort so far and you can't beat the location!

Look for us! We are fluffy size blond adults with two super blond preschoolers, a taller boy and a girl with some curls likely to be having meltdowns about anything and everything!